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Baked Orange Cauliflower Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 97 reviews

This Baked Orange Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious, healthier twist on classic orange chicken, featuring crispy baked cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful, tangy orange sauce. Perfect for a vegetarian meal that delivers a satisfying crunch and zesty flavor without frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower Coating

  • 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, Kikkoman brand preferred for even baking
  • 2 large eggs, whisked

Orange Sauce

  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 1/2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1/8 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp sriracha (optional, can replace half with ketchup for less spice)
  • 1 tsp ketchup
  • 2 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Whisk the eggs in a small mixing bowl. Place about 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag. Line an extra-large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Dip Cauliflower in Egg: Dip each cauliflower floret into the whisked egg mixture. Shake lightly to remove excess egg to prevent sogginess of breadcrumbs. Set the dipped florets on a cutting board or plate to allow extra egg to drip off.
  3. Coat Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs: Place the egg-dipped cauliflower into the bag with breadcrumbs, seal it, and shake gently until fully coated. Remove and arrange coated florets on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cauliflower, adding more breadcrumbs to the bag as needed, doing no more than 3-4 pieces at once for better coating.
  4. Bake Cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the breading is a deep golden brown and crunchy.
  5. Prepare the Orange Sauce: While baking, combine water, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sriracha, and ketchup in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  6. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp water completely. Add this slurry to the boiling sauce and continue to stir. Allow sauce to return to a boil and thicken.
  7. Serve: Drizzle the thickened orange sauce over the baked cauliflower. Optionally garnish with fresh chopped scallions and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use Kikkoman brand panko breadcrumbs for best even baking and crispiness.
  • Shake off excess egg from cauliflower to ensure crisp coating.
  • You can adjust spice level in the sauce by reducing sriracha and adding more ketchup for color and mild flavor.
  • Do not overcrowd the breadcrumb bag when coating cauliflower to get an even coating.
  • Nutrition values are estimated; consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Keywords: baked orange cauliflower, vegetarian orange chicken alternative, crispy baked cauliflower, orange sauce recipe, healthy cauliflower recipes

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/baked-orange-cauliflower-recipe/